Avalanche Skills PLUS Course Information Package
This is an information package for students who have already registered for this course. If you landed on this page from a Google search here is an overview of the Avalanche Skills PLUS courses, or read on for a detailed description.
If you have already signed up for a course please read this information package carefully. It should answer all your questions but if not you can contact me.
Course participants NEED TO DO THE FOLLOWING:
Read and understand the guide waiver. You will need to sign this waiver at the beginning of the trip. It is important that you understand it before you arrive.
Have a look at the gear list and make sure you are able to bring everything on the list.
Let me know if you need me to provide any equipment for you.
Acknowledgment of Risk
It is important to understand that no matter how well prepared we are there is still an element of risk in all mountain activities.
You will need to sign the waiver when you arrive for your trip. Please read the waiver before the trip so you understand what the risks are and what you will be signing when you begin the trip.
Safety is our number one priority. You trust the guides to be dialed in and to be able to manage risk on a trip, but it goes both ways. We need to be able to trust you to help manage your personal risk as well. Our risk is shared, the guides are at risk just like you are and you can help keep them safe just like they work at keeping you safe.
The most important person in managing your personal risk is YOU. If you prepare even just a little beforehand you can help keep yourself, the other members of the group, and the guides safe. There are a variety of ways you can help manage your risk on your trip:
Listen to the guides’ instructions and if you are uncertain of what is expected of you please ask!
Be aware of the situation around you. As you travel through the terrain think of what you can do to reduce risk for yourself and the group (EG place yourself in a safe spot at regroups in avalanche terrain, keep the glacier rope tight, place yourself in the best position to avoid rockfall etc).
If you have received previous safety instruction pertinent to the trip review and practice that training before the trip.
Consider taking a course that involves safety training relevant to the trip (EG avalanche rescue, crevasse rescue, rock rescue).
Speak up. If you see something you feel is hazardous, mention it to the guide. If you feel uncomfortable with what you perceive is a risk, mention it to the guide. We can discuss your concerns and change what we are doing if necessary.
Traveling in the mountains together as a group is all about having trust in each other’s abilities. In over 30 years of guiding I have only had to deal with three minor incidents requiring an immediate evacuation. We do not expect an accident but we need to be prepared in case there is one. The more we trust each other the more we will all enjoy our time in the mountains together because we know we are able to take care of each other in the unlikely case there is a problem.
Your Instructor
The lead instructor is Mark Klassen. I have been working as a ski patroller, guide and avalanche forecaster since the mid 80's and am an ACMG/IFMGA certified Mountain guide.
Meeting Time (Mountain Standard Time) and place
Both days: Normally we meet in Lake Louise, upstairs in the lounge at the Lake Louise International Hostel and Alpine Centre, at 7.30 AM. The exact location and time may change, if so this will be communicated shortly before the course.
Course Itinerary
Both days:
Morning meeting. Students need to arrive prepared with the first 1.5 pages of their Decision Making in Avalanche Terrain Field Book filled out (or equivalent field book). Leave the Route Plan portion of the book blank, we will complete it together. This book may be purchased here. The meeting will last about an hour.
Move to trailhead for the tour.
Field day. Discussions on how to reduce risk using travel techniques, observations, and terrain appropriate for the conditions.
Roadside debrief.
Possible Trips
Rockies: Crowfoot Trees, Observation Peak, Little Crowfoot Peak, Helen Shoulder, Crystal Ridge, Emerald Lake slide path, Chickadee Valley, Commonwealth Creek, etc
Possible Itinerary Changes
There is always the possibility of having to change this itinerary due to weather or snow conditions.
Pre-Course Preparation
Before the course please do the following:
Read as much as you can from a technical book such as Bruce Tremper's Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain.
Keep track of what the weather is doing the week previous to the course. Avalanche Canada has a good weather resource here.
Keep track of the avalanche bulletins for Banff National Park and Kananaskis Country.
Have a look at the Mountain Information Network and ACMG Mountain Condition Reports.
Good touring information for Banff can be found here.
Medical Issues
If you have any pertinent medical issues that I should know about, please make sure you include that when you fill in the guest information form.
Remember, YOU NEED TO DO THE FOLLOWING:
Click here to read and understand the guide waiver. You will need to sign this waiver at the beginning of the trip. It is important that you understand it before you arrive.
Have a look at the gear list and make sure you are able to bring everything on the list.
Let me know if you need me to provide any equipment for you.